May 5, 2014

Outdoor gardens and indoor greenhouses are in abundance among NYSID member agencies, producing fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, all shared by agencies and their communities.

Here’s a look at some of the “growth” happening across NYSID’s membership.

Chemung ARC has donated over 100 pounds of fresh produce from its community garden to a local food bank

Chemung ARC in Elmira has a community garden located behind the agency. City officials approached the agency two years ago and asked if they would adopt Quatrano Park, a local city park that is directly behind its building.

The ARC agreed, and one of its first projects was creating a community garden on the site of former tennis courts. Over the past two years, Chemung ARC has built 18 raised beds, three of which are wheelchair accessible, along with tire gardens and a strawberry corner. Last autumn, a greenhouse was donated to the ARC, which recently began its starter seeds for this year’s garden.

The beds have been adopted by neighbors, staff members and homes managed by Chemung ARC. “We’ve proudly donated over 100 pounds of fresh produce to our local food bank and have plans to reach out to a local elementary school to get the children involved in the gardening process.”

Several events have been held in the garden, including an art show that displayed works created by the people the ARC supports; a pinwheel garden recently was held in conjunction with the Finger Lakes Parenting Network to bring awareness of child abuse in the area.

Be sure to visit NYSID’s social media sites in the coming weeks for more stories of successful horticultural programs at NYSID member agencies!